Joyce Linehan & Celina Barrios-Millner
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) has announced the appointment of Joyce Linehan (left) as chief of staff and Celina Barrios-Millner as chief of economic opportunity. Both having extensive leadership experience in their respective fields, the additions are sure to strengthen the MCCA as a whole.
Linehan, who previously supported Massachusetts College of Art and Design as assistant to the president for special projects, will officially start on April 6. Prior to this, she also served as the chief of policy and planning for the City of Boston under Mayor Marty Walsh, a role that cultivated her skills in government, organization, and operational initiatives.
Linehan also serves a number of local organizations. As the advisor and infrastructure working group chair for the Cultural Economy Advisory Council, she explores policies that support artists and cultural organizations. Additionally, as a board member for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, she helps fight discrimination within employment and economic development opportunities.
Linehan earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in American studies from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Barrios-Millner who will also begin her role come April 6, bringing to the table a similarly impressive leadership background. Serving as senior advisor to Mayor Michelle Wu and as chief of equity and inclusion under acting Mayor Kim Janey, she helped design the city’s Immigrant Advancement agenda and established the City of Boston’s first Supplier Diversity program, which supports minority and women-owned businesses. She went on to lead partnership development for that office.
Previously, she served as the northeast regional director for the National Immigration Forum and as co-vice president of race and equity research at the Urban Institute. Her experience includes overseeing numerous programs advancing civic engagement and economic development. She is also serving on the state’s Advisory Council on Latino Empowerment, having been appointed by Gov. Maura Healey.
Barrios-Millner graduated from American University and earned a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Come April 6, there is no doubt that their work will bring forth changes that better ensure fairness, inclusion and equity while upholding MCCA’s mission to drive statewide economic growth.
